A Congolese fan stood throughout the entire AFCON, for a total of 438 minutes

In a Round of 16 match of the Africa Cup of Nations that concluded yesterday, the Democratic Republic of Congo lost 0-1 to Algeria in extra time, ending their run in the tournament. After the final whistle, a familiar figure in the stands once again became the focus of attention – renowned Congolese artist and fan Mboladinga, unable to hide his emotions, had tears in his eyes, lamenting his team's elimination.

Throughout several matches of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in this year's Africa Cup of Nations, Mboladinga maintained the same posture: standing upright with his right hand raised to the sky, a tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the pioneer of the DRC revolution and the first Prime Minister after independence.

Lumumba was a key figure in the DRC's independence movement, serving as Prime Minister from June to September 1960 before his assassination on January 17, 1961. He is considered a significant symbol in the nation's history.

With the DRC's elimination, Mboladinga appeared visibly exhausted as he left the stands. Video footage shows him struggling to stand due to stiffness from prolonged standing, requiring assistance to descend the platform. This scene garnered respect from many fans for his perseverance and dedication.

Throughout the Africa Cup of Nations, Mboladinga was a prominent figure in the stands, his image frequently featured in global media reports. Before Tuesday's match, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Motsepe specifically invited him to meet and mimicked his signature gesture in greeting. According to statistics, Mboladinga will stand for a total of 438 minutes during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

In a previous interview, Mboladinga stated, "Although it's physically very difficult and mentally exhausting, I hope to inject strength into the team and give the players energy through this method."